FileMaker Pro 6 pulls off an impressive sleight of software design: It's a true relational database yet still approachable for nonprogrammers. With FileMaker, we were easily able to design both the structure and format of databases, as well as handily perform queries and reports. Beyond its best-in-class ease of use, FileMaker offers one-click Web publishing and can import and export XML data. And these aren't the only ways it can grow with you. It runs on both Windows PCs and Macs. With FileMaker Mobile 2.1, you can extend it to Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds. And workgroups can take advantage of its granular user privileges and networking features.

For more sophisticated database needs, such as advanced programmability and analysis, we recommend Microsoft Access 2002 over Alpha Five Version 5 and Corel's Paradox 10. Although Alpha Five is easy to use, its import and export capabilities are weak, and the interface is inconsistent. Paradox was by far the least usable product we reviewed but will serve the needs of Corel's WordPerfect Office suite die-hards and programmers comfortable with its proprietary scripting language.

We still like the online database QuickBase for sharing databases over the Web, and the Corporate Workgroups edition adds important features for businesses, including CRM. Nevertheless, an installed database program offers more customizability and a faster interface.

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